The Florida Garden

The Florida Garden Home

The Karen and Robert Scott Florida Garden displays the essence of the Florida landscape, encouraging us to renew our connection with the natural elements that draw us to this land of sunshine.The central feature of this garden is the Great Circle. This circular form is reminiscent of the numerous pot lakes one sees when flying over Southwest Florida. The Great Circle is formed by a circular planting of sabal palms, Florida's State Tree, underplanted with native palms such as needle palms, dwarf palmetto and silver saw palmetto. Within the Great Circle are swathes of Florida's most beautiful grasses and wild flowers.

The Naples Garden Club Idea Garden has constantly changing demonstrations of the best plants and techniques for home gardens in Southwest Florida. Annuals, perennials, bulbs, vegetables, and herbs are all incorporated into gardens for everyday pleasures. The Buehler Family Foundation Enabling Garden is designed for universal accessibility and as a model for both older home gardeners and to demonstrate gardening methods for people of all abilities. Container, tabletop, raised and vertical wall gardens contain plantings selected to appeal to the senses in many ways. The Contemplative Garden sits within a grove of citrus and other scented trees, reflecting Florida's long agricultural history. The Jeannie and Christopher B. Smith Labyrinth provides a meditative walking pathway for visitors to experience a centuries old method of inner reflection and spiritual relaxation in a garden. Lucy's Solstice Landing overlooks our lakes and restored wetlands beyond and is sited to enjoy seasonal celestial events.

Designer & History

Ellin Goetz, FASLAGoetz + Stropes Landscape Architects, Inc.Naples, Florida As you travel about Collier County on any given day, you are apt to come across some of local landscape artist Ellin Goetz's wonderful designs. She is president and partner with Gerry Stropes, ASLA, of Goetz + Stropes, Landscape Architects, Inc. Ellin, who holds a BA in Art History from Vassar College and a MA in Landscape Architecture from University of Massachusetts, has received awards for her work at The Vineyards, Third Street South, Fifth Avenue South and Mediterra. She has been honored by, among others, the Boys and Girls Club, Inc. of Collier County (1999 Visionary Award), Gulfshore Life Magazine (2000 Woman of the Year award) and Naples Daily News (2004 Citizen of the Year). The Florida chapter of the ASLA recognized the design work of Goetz + Stropes work at Parque Celestial with an Award of Excellence for "an exceptional, unique and innovative solution that goes beyond achieving its purpose" in the open space category. Ellin has a rich history of community service and currently serves on the board of Big Cypress Stewardship District, Naples Chamber of Commerce, Naples Art Association, Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Committee and Naples Community Hospital.